Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Q&A- Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog

I decided to brave the the information superhighway and interview a Mets fan. Not just any Mets fan, but Matt Cerrone of the infamous MetsBlog. In the spirit of "friendly" rivalry, here goes...

1. What is MetsBlog?'The Grand Central Station for Mets Information,' as my slogan reads, but also a full-time job, which started as a hobby, which now takes up way way too much of my time, so says my wife.

2. Why the hell are you a Mets fan?I grew up in Trumbull, CT. Every one I knew, including my family, were Yankee fans. In a contrarian move, I picked the Mets. They immediately won the World Series, and you can imagine how the story goes from there.

3. What is your view on the Phillies?Honestly, I never really thought about the Phillies up until the last few seasons. Prior to that, the two teams never really competed for first place at the same time. When one was up, the other was down. Now, it's actually pretty fun. It's a good rivalry. I enjoyed fighting the Braves in the late-90s, but, let's be honest, they are not the most passionate fans, and the city is so far away. The fact that Mets and Phillies fans often share the same space, same highway, infiltrate one another's stadiums, and are now competing for 162 games right down to the wire every season, is pretty fun, despite the results.

4. Describe the heartbreaking gut-wrenching back-to-back collapses the Mets have forced you to suffer through.It was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, just like you said. You should ask Gene Mauch, I think he knows a thing or two about 'collapses.' *Touche!

5. What is the Mets offseason plan?They are working to sign a free-agent closer, trade for a set-up man with experience as a closer, and trade for a back-end starting pitcher, after which they'll address the offense - assuming they have any cash or prospects left to use. *Interview conducted before Mets inked K-Rod.

6. Which current Met do you dislike the most?I wouldn't go so far as to say 'dislike,' but I am very disappointed in Aaron Heilman, who is actually a really good guy. It's just, he has so much potential, shows signs of being really, really good, but then slides back in to odd habits that make it impossible for him to succeed. Now, he's put himself in a situation where the team has no choice but to trade him, and that will ultimately be the best thing for him.

7. Who is your favorite player of all-time?Keith Hernandez. Initially, it was Darryl Strawberry, because of the flash. But, as I got older, I realize Keith was more than just a baseball player, who played tough, strong, consistent, etc., but he's a symbol of the 1980s ball player, which is a generation I miss watching.8. Which player on the Phils are you jealous about not having on the Mets?Chase Utley, a) because he's an outstanding talent, and the Mets always need a second baseman, and b) because the girls who were his jersey in CBP are also outstanding talent.

9. Billy "the Rat" Wagner- spew...I actually liked Billy's honesty. I think the players did as well, though I am sure management would disagree. In terms of performance, he was good, not great. It's tough being a closer in this town, when people are always busy carving Mariano Rivera's Hall of Flame plaque across town. In short, he wasn't Armando Benitez, which is always the standard around here.

10. If you had a time machine, which season would you revisit?Obviously, 1986. I was only 10 years old, so I would love to be able to experience it as an adult. Also, 1999 is a close second. The Mets didn't win, but it was an amazing ride, totally unexpected, with a group of fun, overachievers, with a lot of character, and I hated Greg Maddux, Chipper Jones and John Rocker more than the entire Phillies organization combined.

11. Tug McGraw first used "You gotta believe" with the Mets, but then brought the phrase with him to the Phils. How do you feel about that?It's sort of annoying. It's our rally-cry, and speaks volumes about what it means to be a Mets fan. That said, it's Tug's expression, he could do with it what he wanted. I mean, if you guys are comfortable copying Mets fans, go for it I guess. I prefer to be original. *My new slogan- "Muck the Fets!"12. If J-Roll predicts repeat, what will Carlos Beltran retort with this offseason?I hope he keeps his mouth shut. Fact is, this group of Mets need to zip it, and get the job done on the field. You guys have earned the right to talk, shoot your mouths off, etc. The Mets have not. As I wrote on MetsBlog.com at the end of the season, the Mets need to realize they are not the favorites, unless not until they win.~Carson

I just read a rumor that made me sick. Phils offering Happ or Carrasco and Donald for DeRosa. I wouldn't even give up one of those guys for DeRosa. Rube is a f**ktard if he does that deal, or anything close to it.

1. Amaro said the Phillies are poised to announce a "smaller trade that might be a notch about [Greg] Golson for [John] Mayberry" within the hour. They're awaiting the result of physicals. The guys who will be swapped are 40-man roster players. When we know their identities, so will you. Meanwhile, let the speculation fly.

LAS VEGAS -- So, it seems the "small trade" mentioned by Ruben Amaro Jr. will be a swap of catchers. The Phils will send Class AAA catcher Jason Jaramillo to the Pirates for Ronny Paulino, a .278 hitter in parts of four seasons.

Paulino, 27, is a major-league-caliber catcher, so this figures to fuel the speculation that Chris Coste will be packaged in a trade, perhaps the multi-team deal that would bring Mark DeRosa to Philly.